Monday, March 31, 2008

The many users of the Honda Civic in Britain are being warned of the car’s problem with malfunctioning handbrakes. Honda has taken the initiative to notify users of the Honda Civic in Britain, numbering to almost 63,000, to alert them of the car’s problem.

After a number of complaints from disgruntled car owners regarding the handbrake not sticking if applied, the giant Japanese car maker has issued a public apology to these car owners for the Civic’s flaw. Honda also offered these customers a new and functioning handbrake to ease their concerns over the car.

"We do apologize for any inconvenience to customers,” an unnamed Honda spokesman said:

"We will be sending out letters to our customers in March and April recommending that they visit their local Honda dealer to get an improved handbrake fitted,” He also added.

Honda Civics designed between 2006 and 2007 are apparently equipped with these malfunctioning handbrakes.

Honda recommends that owners do not push the release button when using the handbrake, which may result in it not catching.

Friday, March 7, 2008

Honda is really serious when it comes to pleasing its fans. In this case, the Japanese carmaker is giving away a Honda Civic Hybrid as a prize to one lucky fan. What sets this prize apart from any ordinary prize is that it’s designed and autographed by the band headlining the Honda Civic Tour ’08 itself, Panic At The Disco. Fans of the band or the car itself can get lucky just by registering online, which started last February 28, or signing up at an electronic kiosk at each destination of the nationwide tour. The people of San Francisco will have the first chance too see Panic At The Disco in action and enter the contest with the start of the tour on April 10, 2008.

"Not every band gets the opportunity to customize their own car, which is just one of the reasons the Honda Civic Tour is so cool.We spent a lot of time on the design to make sure it was something our fans would be truly excited about.And this particular car is a hybrid, so you really can't go wrong there." Ryan Ross, Panic At The Disco’s guitarist, said.

In order for fans to get the first glimpse of what Panic At The Disco has in store for their nationwide tour with Honda, they are going to perform on Jimmy Kimmel Live on March 25. This performance will also coincide with the release of their new album and give the fans a preview of what Panic At The Disco has been up to lately.

In anticipation of the Honda Tour ’08, cities such as San Francisco, New York, Chicago, Atlanta and Orlando have already sold out and additional dates of the concert have been added. Panic At The Disco, along with its tour mates Motion City Soundtrack, The Hush Sound and Phantom Planet can be seen on May 4 in East Rutherford, New Jersey as part of Bamboozle music festival. Fans can also get a first look at the Honda Civic Hybrid designed and autographed by the boys of Panic At The Disco.

The car itself is a combination of the band’s eccentricities and aesthetic abilities combined to produce a one of a kind personalized hybrid. The personalized Honda Civic Hybrid comes with a design theme inspired by “Surreal Earth” which was realized by Santini USA and DVS designs. They are also joined by ALSA Corp Hawaiian Hues and Mystic paint. Candy Concentrates also helped in the design of the car by providing its striking colors.

The lucky winner of customized Honda Civic Hybrid will be lucky enough to find a custom-upholstered "time-machine" interior, with burgundy leather door panels and armrests, diamond-patterned leather seats and luxe buttoned headrests in their new car. The interior covering of the roof has been changed to a mocha suede theme and it is fitted with a customized clock seen in Panic At The Disco’s single from their new album, “Nine in the Afternoon”.

In addition to all of these customized goodies, the door panels, dash and floormats include gold flourishes in their design. The windshield of the customized Honda Civic Hybrid now comes with special accent lights to improve the over-all design of the car. To top it all off, a crystal knob at the top of the gear shift is also included.

To top Panic At The Disco and Honda’s masterpiece creation, the hybrid is equipped with a factory stereo head unit coupled to a Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ combined with Alpine Electronics speakers, subwoofers and amplifiers; XM® Satellite Radio; 18-inch Konig Again racing-inspired rims with Dunlop Direzza DZ101 sport tires; Eibach Springs lowering suspension; a Honda Factory Performance (HFP) Aero Kit and Polished Exhaust Tip; and a Meguiar's professional car-care kit.

Fans of the band and their customized Honda Civic Hybrid only have until July 31 to enter the contest and take home this one of a kind car. So clear your calendar when Panic At The Disco come to your state and catch them along with the chance to drive this eye-candy baby home.